CP 7/21-7/24 Hot, Hot, HOT!

Thursday 7/21:

Arrived to what seemed a 2/3 full front parking lot around 7:30pm. Rode Sky Ride to see that the park was really not that crowded. Wanted to do Windseeker (or Wind Avoider as I have come to call it) but...it was down. Walked on Twister, stair wait for GK. I really love this coaster, I like that it's usually a short wait, but just don't see why it isn't more popular. Walked on Raptor and Blue Streak then checked to see Valravn was an hour wait so skipped it and headed for Dragon to see that it was closed for the VR beta testing. Only a ramp wait for Millie then decided to go move the car to the Soak City lot. Sky Ride was down-it's as hit or miss as the Wind Avoider-so we walked up front, drove around back, entered the Soak City gate and walked on Witches Wheel, Magnum, Pipe Scream, and Mean Streak. The bugs at night were no fun but I've seen them much worse before. Only a stair wait for Maverick then down the dark Frontier Trail for a 1/2 ramp wait for a MF night ride. Walked the Dragster Midway and watched the beach fireworks from there. Only a station wait for TTD, but too tired from the long drive so headed to Denny's (over Diana's) for terrible service and pretty bad food. Done with Denny's. Diana's from now on!

Friday 7/22:

Forecasted storms never came so was hoping for decent ERT. Parked in front at 8:45 and walked the blue line to the Marina gate to find the line backed up to the Marina crosswalk. Walked right on Valravn but by the time we were off the line had quickly grown to about 30 minutes. Marina Gate is the ONLY way to go for Valravn ERT. Headed to MF but it was closed as the first train of the day got stuck on the lift. Quick fix though and got two amazing laps in with no wait. Walked on Rougarou for the only ride I was willing to do on it. The thing still just kills my ears. Different restraints would make this a solid ride. Still greatly improved over Mantis though. Walked on Dragon and noticed the sign again for the VR beta testing. I was interested, so went to Perkins in Breakers and had wonderful food and great service as always. Found out they give 10% off with Platinum pass. Didn't know about this.

Came in the beach gate shocked to see Windseeker up and running! Walked on that then went to play the vintage pinball machines in the sweltering arcade as I always do. Love those things!

By now it was almost noon, so headed to ID to sign up for the VR beta testing. Took until about 12:20 before they actually had the queue and the sign-up booth ready. Process was quick enough after that and got a 5:50 ride time.

It was miserably hot and humid by now, so back to the hotel for swimsuits. Into Soak City around 2. Hung out by the bucket for a bit then did Erie Falls, wave pool, both lazy rivers, bucket again and headed back to the hotel at 4 to shower and change.

Back in the park in time to for the ID VR test ride. Didn't know what to expect but it was AMAZING! Got off the ride and immediately signed up to do it again at 8pm. We then walked the trail, rode the swings, took the train back to the Dragon midway and had a great dinner at Famous Dave's (forgot to ask if they do the platinum pass discount) and got back to ID just in time for the 8pm ride. The VR is such a game-changer for this already decent ride. It truly blew me away. I admit that it is my first real experience with VR but I was very impressed. I think it's a glimpse of the future of amusement park attractions. Can you tell I really, REALLY liked it?

We spent the rest of the night just walking on pretty much everything we wanted with the usual exceptions. Still, only Valravn had an hour wait consistently. The heat and forecasted storms kept people away apparently.

Saturday 7/23:

Equally good ERT from the Marina gate. No wait for Valravn, two laps on Millie, stair wait for Maverick, walked on Skyhawk for a double ride. Love when that happens. Miserably hot and just about 11 by now, so rode Thunder Canyon three times in a row and Snake River Falls twice. Felt amazing! Signed up for Dragon VR again at noon for a 5:45 time then left the blazing heat of the park to go shopping and have some lunch.

While in line for Maverick earlier I saw on one of the queue TVs a promo for a game app called Mobile Strike. The deal was to download the free app, play it to at least 500 points and then show your phone in Guest Relations for a free one-time only Fast Lane voucher good for any Fast Lane ride except: Valravn, TTD, GK or Maverick. Really quick to download, get the points and redeem for the voucher, then I just deleted the app. This was perfect as I just couldn't justify $150 Fast Lane Plus this trip (really wasn't needed as even Saturday's crowd wasn't outrageous. Too hot I suppose.

We came back around 5, got our Fast Lane vouchers from the app download at Guest Relations and headed to Dragon for the 5:45 time then signed up for 8pm right after. Again... I LOVED this!

We rode pretty much what we wanted with little to no wait just like Friday night. So glad I didn't spend all that money for Fast Lane! When Millie had an hour wait, we used our free Fast Lane vouchers and were on in 10 minutes.

Caught a little of the Red Garter show and watched all of Luminosity. Very entertaining! Really enjoyed it.

Sunday 7/24:

Thanks to Marina Gate ERT we managed Valravn,.two MF laps, Maverick, Magnum, Power Tower, Windseeker and were just about to get on GK when the storm rolled in around 11. We made it to the car just as the monsoon started and headed back to Chicago.

The park looks amazing. The landscaping is spectacular this season. So much has been done since my May trip. The park staff were all very courteous and professional (as usual). Truly one of the best visits ever even with the heat! Looking forward to Halloweekends already!

What/where is Diana's? I've been to CP 8-9 times but I don't recognize that name.

Diana's is a 24 hour diner on Milan Road by the mini golf place across from the Rodeway Inn. Much better than Denny's. They have great pies and cakes too.

CPMagNut said:

Back in the park in time to for the ID VR test ride. Didn't know what to expect but it was AMAZING! Got off the ride and immediately signed up to do it again at 8pm. We then walked the trail, rode the swings, took the train back to the Dragon midway and had a great dinner at Famous Dave's (forgot to ask if they do the platinum pass discount) and got back to ID just in time for the 8pm ride. The VR is such a game-changer for this already decent ride. It truly blew me away. I admit that it is my first real experience with VR but I was very impressed. I think it's a glimpse of the future of amusement park attractions. Can you tell I really, REALLY liked it?

It's interesting because I'm reading a lot of similar positive VR reactions in places like Facebook and Twitter.

Which is only fanning the flames on my smugness in regards to the enthusiast communities/forums being out of touch with the general population...and no one needs that.

I completely agree with the Iron Dragon VR. Absolutely incredible. Perfectly synced after the first turn into the lift (which was a bit ahead of the ride), and had very good effects. Made a mediocre ride a good one.

Nice report. You are brave to visit during a late July weekend, but it sounds like you had a plan to hit ERT in the mornings and then play it by ear after that.